The former Leicester City boss is out of work after parting company with the Foxes at the end of the season.

And I don’t necessarily agree with all of Newcastle’s policy of buying young, foreign players and trying to sell them on for a profit, but in theory it is a self-serving philosophy that could see United move up the table.

When it was put to Keane that five managers in five years wasn’t a recipe for Sunderland success, he replied: “No, and no doubt that will continue as long as there’s certain people in the background there”. Maybe that’s what Sunderlandneed most, someone who has the ability to inspire what has been a largely insipid squad so far.

Advocaat’s departure leaves the club at a crossroads once again.

“I already made my decision last week, but the club asked me to do the match against West Ham and I really wanted to finish this in style”, added Advocaat.

Whether or not Allardyce can save Sunderland from the drop cannot be guaranteed, but Black Cat’s fans will be pleased to note, no team managed by him have ever been relegated from the division.

It is understood Allardyce, former Leicester boss Nigel Pearson and Burnley’s Sean Dyche are among those interesting Sunderland, who are also considering up and coming managers such as Karl Robinson of MK Dons and Burton’s Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

Short, however, is desperate for a big-name manager and one with experience to lead Sunderland from their parlous position at the foot of the Premier League. It won’t be a career-killer if Sunderland don’t make it, but if they do survive – it’ll be a real achievement to put on any managerial CV. “People should get behind them”.

However, the former Netherlands, South Korea and Russian Federation boss parted company with the North-East club on Sunday after a winless start to the Premier League season.

Coaching a team struggling to climb out of the bottom three quickly took its toll on the 68-year-old, who has entered retirement from club management.

“Only he knows, but I can give my opinion and I rate him so much”. Whoever takes it has got a tough job on their hands.